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Want to keep your mower going as long as the grass is growing? Follow these mower maintenance instructions

For do-it-yourself gardeners the lawn mower is an essential piece of equipment, worthy of meticulous maintenance. In fact, you may pamper your lawn mower just as much as you do your car!

Even if you winterized your lawn mower last fall, it’s a good idea to give it a good inspection and tuneup come spring. Here are 10 expert tips to help prevent expensive repairs and keep your mower running smoothly through the grass-growing season.

Review the maintenance section of your owner’s manual for the best maintenance schedule — what to do and when to do it.

2. The right equipment

Have these tools on hand:

· Hammer

· Clamps

· Socket/ratchet set

· Spark plug socket and spark plug gap gauge

· Grease gun

· Square tip screwdriver

· Oil filter wrench

· Shop vacuum

· Side cutter

· Torque wrench

· Plastic gloves

3. Clean out the mower

Remove the belt guards on the mower deck and clean out any grass clippings, dirt and debris. This buildup can damage belts and pulleys as it gets sucked up into the mower. Use an air compressor or leaf blower and a screwdriver to blow out and scrape away debris. Do this after every third mowing.

4. Check the spark plugs

Worn spark plugs can make it difficult to start the mower and can lead to misfires, poor fuel economy and engine damage. Replace spark plugs based on manufacturer recommendations.

Make sure nothing falls into the spark plug cylinder by cleaning around the plug before you remove it. If the old plug is difficult to remove, use a spray to help loosen it (rather than brute force, which can damage the engine). Set the gap on the new plug before installation. Finger-tighten the new plug first, then use a plug wrench to gently tighten it down.

6. Fuel filters

Worn fuel filters can cause poor fuel economy, hard starts or a carburetor rebuild. Replace old fuel filters per manufacturer instructions. Reduce gas spillage by clamping off the fuel line, releasing the clamps that hold the filter in place and plugging the filter inlet with the thumb of your gloved hand. Pull the filter out of the outlet hose and install the new filter, pointing the fuel flow direction arrows toward the engine. Put the fuel line clamps back into place and un-pinch the fuel line.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

What makes it so great? Chances are it’s the warm sun on your face, cool beer in your hand, gentle breeze and a relaxed attitude. Great news! If you have a deck or porch, you don’t have to spend money on a fancy vacation to recreate all of the above. All you need is a can-do attitude, a free afternoon and a few good ideas.

There’s a reason you don’t put lipstick on a pig – it doesn’t do any good! Unless the exterior of your deck or porch is in good shape, any fun accessories you add will be a waste of time. Plus, an unsealed porch will become waterlogged and rot over time, getting worse with every summer storm or winter snow. If your setup is looking a little ragged, check and see if there are any professional deck and porch maintenance offers in your area. It’s the easiest way to whip things back into shape.

2. Hang Twinkle Lights

Now that your porch is protected, it’s time to have a little fun. To extend the time you and your family enjoy your outdoor living space, throw up some patio twinkle lights. A few strands of lights can transform a so-so patio into something special.

These lights come in an assortment of sizes, shapes and colors. And you’d be surprised how far they’ll go towards making your area look like it’s straight out of Pinterest. Plus, you’ll be able to see your cocktail during those nighttime hangs, and everyone looks great under the glow.

3. Add an Outdoor Cooler

A perfectly lazy afternoon isn’t complete without a cold drink (or two…or three). Make living easy by adding an attractive outdoor cooler to your deck or patio oasis. Avoid ugly plastic coolers, and opt for interesting shapes and containers, like this baby bathtub idea from Southern Living. When you’re headed outside for a long afternoon of leisure, fill the bathtub, metal planter or other unique cooler with ice and beverages. That way, you and your guests barely have to move to refill.

4. Bring Out a Bar Cart

Turn the porch party up with a bar cart. Don’t limit your bar cart to booze! On the cart, you can store booze, and cups, stirrers, coasters, books, magazines, speakers, sunglasses or anything else you may fancy while you’re wiling away the afternoon. It’s basically a chest of drawers on wheels.

If you would fancy a cocktail or three on your porch, build a baller bar cart with these tips.

5. Hang Up a Hammock

Hammocks are the best. Really, the best. We cannot overestimate how great wasting an afternoon in a hammock can be. You swing, you feel the breeze and you relax, all from the comfort of your front (or back) stoop. To turn your hammock time into romantic-time, consider a two-person hammock. We love this one, because it has a steel stand, so it’s mobile and easy to set up.

6. Think Indoors

To make your outdoor living space feel cozy, add a few traditionally indoor items like rugs, lamps, and flower vases. If your porch isn’t enclosed, we recommend bringing the smaller items inside at night, or some jealous passersby might nab them.

7. Plant Perennials

Adding pots full of perennials to your outdoor living space is an easy way to inject some color and visual interest. Why perennials, instead of annuals? You only have to plant perennials once and then you’ll get to enjoy them every year.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Fifty years ago, the newspaper was the only way to get reliable news. These days, we’ve almost all switched to digital versions. (Plus Twitter. And Facebook.) But just because we consume news differently than Grandpa did doesn’t mean classic newspapers aren’t worth picking up next time you’re at Starbucks or stop to pump gas!

Try out these 19 uses for newspapers:

1. Deodorize Musty Items

If you’ve ever wandered into an old bookstore (or a grandparent’s closet), you know the musty smell we’re talking about. To get rid of it, grab a newspaper. Crumple up the newspaper and place the papers in the bottom of a paper bag. Then, place the musty-smelling item (book, clothing item, etc.) into the bag. Let it sit for about a week, and then open the bag. The newspaper will have absorbed the musty smell just like a Dementor munching on an escaped Askaban convict’s soul.

2. Keep Produce Drawers Dry

Prevent rotting peppers and foul-smelling produce drawers in the fridge by lining the drawers with newspaper. The paper will absorb any excess moisture. One a week, toss the old paper and line the drawer with a fresh sports section.

3. Pack Fragile Items

Moving pretty much always sucks, but it’s ten times worse if you break something fragile in transit. Bubble wrap is the gold standard, but that stuff isn’t cheap! Protect breakable items on a budget by wrapping them in newspaper before the move. We recommend several sheets per items.

4. Wash Mirrors and Windows

To remove streaks from mirrors and windows, use newspaper instead of cloth to wipe awayWindex. Not only will the newspaper remove streaks, it won’t leave any residue behind.

5. Wrap Presents

If you’re out of fancy wrapping paper, use newspaper instead! Personalize the gift by choosing a section of the paper that fits the receiver’s personality. If they love baseball, opt for the sports section. Funny guy? Go for the comics. And for foodies, choose the food and drink page. It’s the little things that really come off as thoughtful!

6. Dry Wet Shoes

Rain happens. And after it happens, it makes your shoes smell terrible if you let them stay all soggy. To dry shoes quickly and prevent odor, stuff wet shoes with newspaper immediately. The newspaper will soak up the moisture and protect your kicks.

7. Protect Your Car

We love our pups, but four-legged friends are not exactly car-friendly, and sometimes your stuck without a blanket or mat to protect your seats. If you get caught in such a scenario, you can always grab some newspaper and cover your seats before taking a drive with your pet.

8. Create Backup Protection for Your Floors

Doormats do all kinds of good in terms of protecting your home. But when serious rainstorms (snowstorms) strike, your mat is about as useful as nipples on a breastplate. When the weather gets super nasty, don’t be afraid to spread out a few newspaper rolls over the floor around your door. It’ll protect your hardwood or carpet from rain, mud, sleet or snow, and create a convenient spot for guests to leave their shoes without causing a huge mess.

When weeds take over your yard, kill them quickly with newspaper. Lay several layers of the paper on top of the weeds, and then cover it with mulch to hold it place. The paper will smother the weeds, and prevent them from getting sunlight and oxygen. Over time, the newspaper will decompose with the mulch and add nutrients to the soil. Note: Don’t try this trick around flowers, because it will smother the flowers, too!

11. Enhance Compost

Worms love newspaper, and worms will add something special to your compost (catch our drift?). To enhance your compost, toss in a few crumpled pieces of newspaper.

12. Ripen Green Tomatoes

If you’re the gardening type, don’t toss green tomatoes. Instead, use newspaper to ripen them. Pick the green tomatoes off of the vine, and then wrap them individually in newspaper. Layer the tomatoes in a box no more than two layers deep. Keep the box in a dark, dry area (like a garage or pantry) and check it weekly for progress. It typically takes 3-4 weeks for the green tomatoes to ripen. Note: When you check the tomatoes, be sure to remove any that are rotting instead of ripening.

13. Kindle a Fire

There are tons of ways to start a fire, but newspaper is a great, easy option if you do it properly. Roll newspaper diagonally like tiny logs, and then fasten 5-10 tiny logs together with rubber bands. Place the “paper log” in the fireplace below your larger pieces of wood and light one end. It’ll work like a charm.

14. Make a Quick Funnel for Small Objects

If small items, like screws or pushpins, get loose, a paper will make the cleanup easier. Simply roll the paper into a makeshift funnel and use it to put the pieces back in their original jar.

15. Store Boots

Keep your boots in shape during the offseason by sticking rolled up newspapers into the leg of the boot. This will keep their shape and protect them from damage. Plus, they’ll be easier to store.

16. Protect Your Table

Crab restaurants cover their tables with newspaper for a reason - it’s easy to clean up and protects your table from the mess. If you’re hosting a dinner party where things may get messy (i.e. shrimp, crab, crawfish), cover the table with a few layers of newspaper just to be safe.

17. Prevent Ice on Windshields

If you’re expecting a big snow or freezing temperatures, cover your windshield with a layer of newspaper to prevent ice.

18. Make DIY Newspaper Roses

For a quick and inexpensive decoration, make newspaper roses. All you need is paper, gauge wire, a glue gun, scissors and wire cutter! Cut out your petals to their desired size and then glue them into place. For step-by-step instructions, visit: 100 Layer Cake. Once the glue has fully dried, feel free to paint your roses.

19. Wipe Up Spills

Newspaper is generally just as absorbent as your average paper towel, so store a few rolls in the kitchen to wipe up spills.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

We bet that you lock your doors at night and keep your kids away from the medicine cabinet, but if you haven’t inspected your house in a while (or ever), you could be sitting on a dangerous time bomb. Yikes!

While a few of these inspections are better left to a licensed professional, you can cross some off your list right away.

Prevent injury (and even death) by inspecting the following:

1. Got Stairs? Check Your Banisters

Up and down, up and down, how bad can they be, right? Your stairs may look innocent enough, but they’re basically an accident waiting to happen. According to the National Safety Council, over one million injuries occur each year as a result of stairway falls, making staircase accidents the second leading cause of accidental injury second only to motor vehicles. It gets worse: every year, there are 12,000 accidental deaths in the U.S. on account of stairways.

Fortunately, you can do a stair inspection yourself. Give your stairs a mean stink-eye, and take the time to check for cracks or loose materials on the stairs themselves. Fix any potential issues. Then, check the banisters. Grab a tennis ball, and hold the ball in between the balusters. If the tennis ball can be pushed through the balusters, they may be dangerous for a kid and should be looked at by a professional handyman. For more stair-safety ideas, read this detailed to-do.

2. Test the Smoke Detectors

There’s a reason elementary schools visit fire stations as field trips: over 1,240,000 home fires occur in America each year, with over 3,000 fatalities according to the National Fire Protection Association. Basically, fires are a real risk, and almost two-thirds of reported deaths caused by home fires resulted from homes that lacked working smoke alarms. You can prevent disaster at home by teaching the art of testing your smoke detectors. For full instructions, read Test Smoke and CO Detectors.

3. Prevent Natural Gas Leaks

For the most part, natural gas is a safe energy source. The gas itself isn’t poisonous or dangerous. The danger lies in what it does to the oxygen within your home. Natural gas displaces the levels of oxygen within your home, basically decreasing the amount of oxygen you have to breathe. (That’s why you may feel dizzy if you leave the stove on too long.) To prevent a problem, contact a licensed professionalto inspect your gas line and ensure safety.

4. Give GFCIs a Test

GFCI is a fancy term for a simple, life-saving tool. In your bathroom, have you ever seen a little “test” button on your outlet? What about in the kitchen? Those “test” buttons are part of your ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), which is an outlet typically located in kitchens and bathrooms – often within six feet of a water source – that prevents people from being electrocuted by cutting off the current if it gets too high.

That little guy is pretty important, because each year the Electrical Safety Foundation estimates there are an average of 60 electrocutions associated with consumer products. Keep your family from becoming a statistic by taking 15 minutes to test yours. All you need is a small appliance, like a hair dryer. Plug the device into the GFCI outlet and make sure it turns on. Push the “test” button on the GFCI and the device should turn off immediately. Push the “reset” button on the GFCI to turn the device back on. If the device doesn’t turn off when you push the “test” button, call a licensed electricianimmediately to fix the problem.

5. Test (or Buy!) Fire Extinguishers

First comes smoke alarm, then comes fire extinguishers. Quick, how many do you own? If you don’t know, it’s time to reevaluate how safe your home really is from fire. There was a civilian fire death every 2 hours and 42 minutes, and a civilian fire injury every 33 minutes in 2013. Home fires caused 85% of these civilian fire deaths and an estimated $11.5 billion in direct property loss. That’s the bad news. The good news is that a working fire extinguisher can save your family’s life and protect your home. Follow this rule of thumb: One fire extinguisher for every floor of your house and one in the garage. If you don’t have enough purchase fire extinguisherstoday.

If you do have fire extinguishers at home, take at a look at your extinguishers’ pressure gauges and handle. If the pressure gauge is green, you’re ready to roll in an emergency. If the gauge falls anywhere else, please service or replace the extinguisher immediately. Make sure the handle is secure and not wobbly. If there are any issues, replace the device. Also, check for an expiration date on the fire extinguisher label. Most fire extinguishers last for 5 to 15 years. If the extinguisher has ever been used, even for a short blast, it’s best practice to replace it rather than risk it.

6. Check for Water Quality

Water isn’t always so pure. If your water source is unsafe, you could be drinking contaminants, chemicals and bacteria that can cause serious health problems. This may not happen immediately. Effects may occur if contaminants are ingested at unsafe levels over many years, making this an unseen issue. If you’d like to learn more, check out the EPA’s Drinking Water Standards & Health Effects.

Many of these contaminants are colorless, tasteless and odorless, so the only way to really know if your water is a problem is to have it tested. You can test it at home with a Drinking Water Test-Kit, but if you are drinking water from a well, we recommend hiring a professional to test the safety of your water source.

7. Test for Radon

Radon, an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. In fact, radon problems affect an estimated one out of every 15 homes in the U.S., and causes more than 20,000 deaths annually.

To protect your family from this unseen killer, test for the gas at home. There are two types of DIY radon tests: short-term and long-term. Short-term tests remain in your home for 2-90 days, while long-term tests remain in the house for more than 90 days. Long-term tests are more likely to tell you your home’s year-round average radon level, while short-term tests will tell you what is happening right now. Follow the directions that come with the radon test kit so that the results are accurate. If you’d rather not test radon yourself, hire a qualified professional to ensure that your home is safe.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Heat rises and moisture falls. That’s why your basement smells like a 100-year-old mothball community, which is just the worst. Whether you’re worried about stinking up stored items, you want to furnish the space or the mothball smell is just driving you crazy, don’t worry! The space is salvageable.

Step 1: Invest in a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air so your basement stops feeling like a rainforest. It’s important to keep the moisture level in control to protect your furniture, health and home. If the air in your basement is higher than 60% relative humidity, you have a problem. (Here’s a step-by-step for checking your home’s humidity if you’re not sure where you fall.)

One Amazon reviewer said the humidity level of her home dropped more than 30% after just a few hours of using this dehumidifier. A close alternative is this option, also with positive reviews.

Step 2: Give The Floor a Good Scrub

Combine one cup of oxygen bleach with one gallon of cool water for a musty-scent killing concoction. Go after the corners and any areas where you have found mold before. SafetyNote: Oxygen bleach is a safer alternative to chlorine bleach that won’t damage most floor types, but you still need to be careful! Make sure you follow all the warning labels and keep the bleach out of reach from kids and pets when you store it.

Step 3: Baking Soda, Baking Soda, Baking Soda

Baking soda is a good must prevention item once you have the situation under control. Place a few open boxes of baking soda around the basement. You can do this in an inconspicuous places like behind furniture and inside of cabinets.

The baking soda will absorb the humidity and any smells that may be trying to brew. Note: It’s a good idea to replace the boxes every few months.

Still Stinky? Try Charcoal.

Charcoal is another, more powerful natural substance that can be used to absorb moisture and remove odor. Just be sure to store it on a plate or inside an old sock so it doesn’t get soot everywhere. Pet Tip: If you have pets, this solution may not be a good idea. You don’t want give Sparky a new toy.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.